Tag: Skin products

Tips to combat winter skin and keep a healthy glow this party season…

Tis the season to be glowing! Its that time of year ladies and gents, parties and events are filling our calendars and of course the New Year is closing in on us, all of which are likely documented by infamous selfies and group snaps a plenty. Not to mention the winter cold can bring about many changes in the way your skin looks and feels…

But fear not, we have you covered with some of our skin survival tips to ensure that your skin is not ravaged by the cold winter weather and stays looking fresh, glowing and party ready throughout.

Dry air is caused by cold weather and low humidity levels which strips the skin of precious moisture. Without prompt care and attention this can lead to cracking and bleeding. Central heating is another factor which tends to be overlooked when trying to retain skins moisture, as do hot baths, showers and harsh cleansers.

To keep skin looking smooth and youthful you need to counteract these effects to reduce itching, chapping and redness… here are our tips to keep your skin at its best and feeling more comfortable this season.

Clean with Lukewarm Water

Hot baths and showers feel great during winter, but whenever you can, choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping your skin of its all important oils which help to protect your skin and keep it soft and supple.

Moisturise Directly Afterwards

Moisture is essential right after you wash and applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle handy near the bathtub and don’t be afraid to use liberally overtime you wash your face.

Consider Moisturiser Carefully

Petroleum-based ingredients within some over-the-counter moisturisers can further dry your skin through the winter months. A smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients would be a safer choice. Opt for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution as its more likely to help skin retain moisture during winter. Try Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cream, a highly moisturising cream which helps to soothe and condition painfully dry skin and contains Glycolic acid as well as Hyaluronic acid for added glow.

Protect your Skin

Pull out your stylish gloves and scarves to help protect skin from cold winds, rain and snow. Another important factor… sunscreen! Winter sun can easily be overlooked, but it can also be just as damaging as the summer sun, apply a safe option such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to exposed areas. Try Obagi Sun Shield SPF50 for example.

Consider Humidity to avoid Dehydration

Central heating systems dry out the air, consider installing a humidifier in your home, particularly where you sleep, this will put moisture back into the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.

Drink water for Hydration

We tend to turn mostly toward hot drinks during winter which leaves out our much needed water intake but don’t forget that your skin needs hydration from both the inside and out. Try swapping your hot cocoa for a little warm water with lemon. This tasty substitute can be refreshing and hydrating at the same time.

Exfoliate Skin Care

Its easy to forget to help the skin shed off dead cells during winter, particularly on our hands. Yet if dead cells are plentiful, moisture can’t penetrate. Find an exfoliating mask, such as Jan Marini’s ‘Sugar Plum’ to use on both your face and hands, as well as gently on your lips. Be sure to follow immediately with moisture so that a smoother appearance can be seen. Try a microdermabrasion or Obagi Blue Radiance skin peel to accelerate the growth of new skin.

Especially if you have eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis, you should avoid allergens and irritants that may trigger a flare up. Winter skin is more fragile, so avoiding fabrics that may irritate your skin (like wool) and chemical laden detergents would be a good tip to keep in mind. Instead, use mild cleansers and moisturisers designed specifically for sensitive skin.

Do you have any tips for comforting winter skin? Please share them with our readers by emailing your experiences to info@skinmedical.co.uk or complete our booking online form at http://www.skinmedical.co.uk/book-online/ .

In summer, everyone wants to make the most of the seasonal heat and sunshine. But at the same time, it’s incredibly important to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolent (UV) radiation. In fact sunscreen should be used year round and should become an integral part of your skincare routine.

UVA exposure typically leads to advanced ageing, where as UVB leads to burning. 95% of the damage caused to skin is as a result of UVA exposure, whilst 5% is the result of UVB exposure. However failure to adequately protect your skin can lead to irreversible damage, including pigmentation, wrinkles and skin cancer.

There are a lot of products available which claim to keep your skin protected in the sun. With many different products making many different claims, it can be hard to know which brand to choose. At Skin Medical we recommend Heliocare, which provides high-level broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and contains Fernblock®.

In our Manchester clinic we stock Heliocare Cream SPF50, Heliocare Gel SPF50 and Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF50 – meaning we have a product for any skin type! Heliocare is even suitable for those who suffer from acne and breakouts, as well as those with existing sun damage and pigmentation. Our expert medical practitioners will be able to recommend which one is right for you.

Using Sunscreen

If you’re planning on being out in the sun for a long time, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out, and again just as your about the leave, according to NICE – you should always apply twice before being exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

Throughout the day you should always reapply sunscreen frequently and liberally – especially after being in water or sweating.

Keeping your skin protected with a high SPF sunscreen is the best way to keep your skin safe and avoid permanent damage. However, if you have already experienced sun damage, pigmentation or fine lines and wrinkles, we have a selection of treatments to improve the appearance of your skin. Our medical practitioners will also be able to advise how best to protect your skin from any further damage.

To book a free skin consultation with one of our experienced practitioners or to find out more about any of our treatments or products, please contact the Manchester city centre clinic on 0161 839 7663 or submit an online enquiry.

The time for holidays and hitting the beach is officially here. Are you ready for summer? If you’re not, there’s no need to stress – fortunately, we have a range of treatments that can get you summer-ready. From banishing excess hair, combating stubborn pockets of fat and getting your skin primed and ready, we have the solution for you.

Laser Hair Removal

Waxing and shaving can be a chore at any time of year – but even more so in summer. Laser hair removal is a convenient alternative. Resulting in a permanent hair reduction, the average patient requires 6-8 sessions, at around 6 weeks apart. Laser hair removal can drastically reduce the amount of shaving and waxing you need to do – in fact, you might never shave or wax again!

At Skin Medical we use the Lightsheer Diode system which is FDA-Approved and considered to be the gold-standard in laser hair removal. It’s cool tip enabled, which makes the treatment more comfortable for you. If you’re wanting to know more about laser hair removal and how it works, we answer all of your questions here.

Vaser Liposuction

Vaser liposuction is an effective fat removal procedure performed under a local anaesthetic, which targets stubborn pockets of fat that dieting and exercise have failed to shift. In summer, these stubborn pockets of fat can be more distressing than ever. Performed under a local anaesthetic and with quick recovery times, there are a lot of advantages to choosing Vaser liposuction over traditional liposuction.

Vaser liposuction uses advanced ultrasound technology to break down fat cells, meaning they can easily be removed using suction. The technology targets only the fat cells, meaning all other tissue (such as nerves and blood vessels) is left unharmed. It can also stimulate collagen, meaning it can have a tightening effect on the skin too!

More areas than you might expect can be treated using Vaser liposuction, including the abdomen, love handles, outer and inner thighs, buttocks, knees, upper arms, calves and the male chest area. We can also treat the neck, jowls and chin.

SPF 50

The most important part of any skincare routine is your SPF – and when you’re exposed to the sun, the higher the SPF the better. At Skin Medical we recommend Heliocare SPF50+, which is available as a cream, gel and a mineral formulation.

Heliocare is a high-protection, effective SPF that is suitable for all skin types. It’s even suitable for those who suffer from acne and it doesn’t trigger further breakouts, like some skincare can. Our medical nurse practitioners will be able to assess your skin and advise which Heliocare product is most suitable for you.

Skin Medical is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered clinic. To book in for a free consultation with one of our medical professionals regarding any of the treatments we offer at Skin Medical, either book online or contact the clinic on 0161 839 7663.

At Skin Medical we only stock brands that we truly believe in. True Organic of Sweden is one of just three brands that we currently stock, alongside Obagi and Jan Marini. That’s because we won’t recommend anything to our patients that we wouldn’t use ourselves, and that couldn’t deliver the results you expect from your skincare range.

Products that you put on your skin are ultimately absorbed into the bloodstream, which is why it is essential to know exactly what is in your products. True Organic of Sweden are exactly what their name suggests – an organic skincare range, originating from Sweden. Using only the purest, certified-organic ingredients, their natural range promises to nourish and protect the skin.

All You Need Is Me is the revolutionary, intensive cream which has been described as a true alternative to Elizabeth Arden’s Eight-Hour Cream. 100% natural (with packaging even made from sugarcane!), the cream protects, soothes and hydrates. It can be used on dry, cracked skin and is even suitable for those suffering from eczema.

Undercover Agent is a natural unisex deodorant which is free from synthetic aluminium and alcohol. It has been claimed that manmade aluminium has associated links with a number of health scares and therefore True Organic of Sweden only use natural ingredients in their deodorant. The only non-natural ingredient is baking soda, making this deodorant 99% natural. Encased in beautiful glass packaging, this is perfect for those who are health-conscious or prefer a more natural deodorant.

Skin Medical is a proud stockist of True Organic of Sweden. We currently stock All You Need Is Me (available in 15ml or 50ml) and Undercover Agent at our Manchester clinic.

Visit us at 20 St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7HG or contact the clinic on 0161 839 7663 or info@skinmedical.co.uk to find out more.

Rule 1: Recognise the limitations of beauty counters in leading department stores.

Sales assistants in beauty counters can offer some practical device when recommending particular shades of foundation that best match your skin. However at Skin Medical we continually come across patients who have been told their skin is dehydrated and should use the latest and most expensive moisturiser to combat their skin condition by these same sales assistants when in fact the product is actually compounding the patient’s skin issues. At Skin Medical, we are obligated by duty of care to provide the most appropriate advice for our patients and not incentivised to recommend any particular product range. We only stock skin range of products that are clinically proven to work because they have active ingredients. All of our products are only supplied after a full consultation by clinicians and nurses, with many of these products actually requirining a medical prescription.

So next time you are tempted to take advice from a sales assistant ask them to explain what is the active ingredient that your skin needs, and where is the clinical evidence to support the fact that they are recommended product that actually works. Whether you chose to come to Skin Medical or any other reputable skin clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission, remember that if it can be sold over the counter without proper medical consultation or prescription then it will not have ‘active ingredients’ with clinical trials as the UK legislation prevents this.

Rule 2: Beware of clinics that only sell their own brand of skin products.

There is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all product range’ that provides optimum results for all patients. If a clinic does not stock a meaningful but limited range of products then they are probably restricting patient’s choice based on the individual’s needs in favour of trying to maximise their own profit.

Rule 3: Only use named practitioners who are a) Qualified to Prescribe b) Qualified to treat. c) Trained and experienced, and select a clinic that is Care Quality Registered by searching www.CQC.org.uk website then read their latest inspection report.

Rule 4: Beware of clinics offering free consultations as these are likely to be with ‘patient advisors’ and/or clinicians who have chosen to be employed on a commission basis, who may not be offering impartial advice.

Rule 5: Do not feel obligated or pressurised to make a quick decision about product or treatment. The best decisions are often reached after reflecting on what has been said and reading written information provided at time of consultation.